Aerated Static Pile Composting for Industrial Biowastes: From Engineering to Microbiology

Abstract

This work demonstrated the feasibility of an industrial-scale aerated static pile composting system for treating one of the common biowastes—soybean curd residue. The mixing ratios of the feedstock were optimized to achieve a carbon–nitrogen ratio and a moisture level in the ranges of 25–35 and 60–70%, respectively. This open-air composting system required 6–7 months to obtain a mature compost. Solvita and seed germination tests further confirmed the maturity of the compost, with 25% compost extract concentration yielding the best germination index in the absence of phytotoxicity. The bacterial and fungal compositions of the compost piles were further examined with metagenomic analysis. Thermoactinomyces spp., Oceanobacillus spp., and Kroppenstedtia spp. were among the unique bacteria found, and Diutina rugosa, Thermomyces dupontii, and Candida taylorii were among the unique fungi found in the compost piles, suggesting the presence of good microorganisms for degrading the organic biowastes.